Trigger guard assembly

ABSTRACT

A removable trigger guard assembly for firearms which in its preferred embodiment includes the trigger guard having a trigger, a trigger spring, a cylinder actuating pawl, a hammer transfer bar and means for retaining the crane shaft mounted thereon. Means are provided for removably securing the trigger guard to the revolver frame, whereby the trigger guard and said connected elements can be removed from and returned to the revolver frame as a unit. The trigger guard has a key or insert connection at one end, preferably the front end and a releasable lug at the opposite end in resilient engagement with the revolver frame which can be depressed to release said engagement and remove the trigger guard assembly.

United States Patent Ruger [151 3,654,720 [451 Apr. 11, 1972 [54] TRIGGER GUARD ASSEMBLY [72] Inventor: William B. Ruger, Southport, Conn.

[73] Assignee: Sturm, Ruger & Co., Inc., Southport,

Conn.

[22] Filed: Feb. 11, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 10,526

Primary Examiner-Benjamin A. Borchelt Assistant Examiner-C. T. Jordan Attorney-Pennie, Edmonds, Morton, Taylor and Adams [57] ABSTRACT A removable trigger guard assembly for firearms which in its preferred embodiment includes the trigger guard having a trigger, a trigger spring, a cylinder actuating pawl, a hammer transfer bar and means for retaining the crane shaft mounted thereon. Means are provided for removably securing the trigger guard to the revolver frame, whereby the trigger guard and said connected elements can be removed from and returned to the revolver frame as a unit. The trigger guard has a key or insert connection at one end, preferably the front end and a releasable lug at the opposite end in resilient engagement with the revolver frame which can be depressed to release said engagement and remove the trigger guard assembly.

9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEUAPR 1 1 1912 SHEET 1 [IF 2 INVENTOR WLLLIAM B. RUGER fiwuahw l.

ATTORNEYS PATENTEDAPR 11 1972 3.654. 720

sum 2 OF 2 FIG. 2

INVENTOR WILLIAM B. RUGER 4 v BY 777M,7 0 (flat m4 A TORNEYS TRIGGER GUARD ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF TI IE INVENTION 1. The Field of the Invention This invention relates to firearms and in particular to revolvers.

2. The Prior Art Conventional revolver construction includes a revolver frame, a barrel, a cylinder mounted on a cylinder crane, a hammer, a trigger, a trigger guard and various internal parts such as the cylinder actuating pawl, the cylinder latch, various springs and the like. In most revolvers the trigger guard is an integral part of the frame, although in some the trigger guard is removably secured to the frame by means of screws or the like. The trigger and the various internal parts of the revolver mechanism are secured to or are mounted within the frame, and access to these parts for servicing and repair usually requires the removal of a plate from the sidewall of the frame. As a result, disassembly of the revolver, and in particular the trigger assembly, for servicing and repairs is complicated and time consuming and usually requires specialized tools and techniques.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides a trigger guard assembly for revolvers characterized by a trigger guard having a two-point connection with the revolver frame, one being a lug which enters a recess and the other a spring-pressed plunger which enters a slot formed in the frame, the lug and the plunger being configured to center the trigger guard assembly with the frame and to press the trigger guard into snug contact with the frame. In the preferred embodiment the trigger guard and assembly includes a trigger guard having a trigger and a trigger spring mounted thereon. It may also include a cylinder pawl and means for retaining a cylinder crane shaft if a crane is used. The trigger guard assembly may also include a transfer bar which moves with the trigger to a position over the firing pin whereby the hammer can strike the firing pin only when the trigger is pulled to release a cocked hammer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the right hand side of a revolver embodying the invention with the trigger guard assembly in its removed position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary side view, with parts in section, of the revolver of FIG. 1, the trigger guard being in its assembled position;

FIG. 3 is a plan view from above of the removed trigger guard assembly;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view along line 55 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the left hand side of the cylinder latch.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred embodiment of the invention that is illustrated in the drawings comprises a double action revolver having, as its major components, the generally familiar frame 1, grip panels 2, cylinder 3, barrel 4, hammer 5, trigger guard 6 and trigger 7. As shown best in FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the revolver includes a trigger guard assembly that comprises the trigger guard 6, the trigger 7 that is pivotally mounted on the trigger guard by pin 8, a cylinder actuating pawl 10 pivotally mounted on the trigger by pivot hub 11 and a hammer transfer bar 12 which has a transverse pivot leg 13 inserted in a hole formed in the trigger 7. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a cylinder latch 9 is disposed above the trigger guard assembly. The forward end of the trigger guard 6 is formed with a forwardly projecting lug 14 which is adapted to enter a recess 15 formed in the under part of the frame 1. The rearward end of the trigger guard 6 is formed with a bore 16 in which is mounted a plunger 17 and coil spring 18, the plunger 17 being held in position in the bore by the pin 19 which crosses the necked portion 20 of the plunger thereby permitting limited longitudinal movement of the plunger. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, plunger 17 advantageously has a conical end 22 which is adapted to enter a slot 23 formed in the frame 1.

The trigger guard assembly is removably secured to the underside of the frame I by inserting the lug 14 at the forward end of the trigger guard into the recess 15 and then moving the rearward end of the trigger guard upwardly until the conical end 22 of the plunger 17 snaps into place in the slot 23. The upwardly slanted underside of the lug l4 fits snugly against a corresponding downwardly slanted undersurface in the recess 15, thereby maintaining the forward end of the trigger guard firmly positioned against the frame 1. The tapered configuration of the conical end 22 of the plunger 17 and the pressure of the spring 18 exerted against the plunger cooperate to urge the rearward end of the trigger guard upwardly into snug engagement with the underside of frame 1. The slot 23 can have any suitable configuration such as that of a cylindrical bore hole. However, as shown best in FIG. 5, the slot 23 advantageously has a V-shaped configuration which serves to align the conical end 22 of the plunger 17, and hence the entire trigger guard assembly, with the longitudinal centerline of the frame 1 and also avoids the fit tolerances that might be required with other configurations.

The cylinder 3 of the revolver is rotatably mounted on the cylinder crane 25 a fragment of which is shown in FIG. 2, the crane being the means by which the cylinder is moved or rotated sideways out of the frame 1 for loading and unloading. The crane 25 is located mainly on the opposite side of FIG. 1 (that is, on the left hand side of the revolver) and is not shown in detail in the drawings. However, the lower end of the crane 25 shown in FIG. 2 is pivotally mounted on the frame 1 by means of the crane pivot shaft 26. The forward end of the crane pivot shaft 26 has a neck portion 27 that is received with a tight press fit in a corresponding blind hole formed in the crane 25. The crane pivot shaft 26 is formed with an annular recess 28 having sloped or tapered side walls, the recess 28 being adapted to receive the upstanding shaft locking lug 29 integrally formed on the upper surface of the trigger guard 6, the lug 29 engaging the recess 28 and preventing removal of the crane pivot shaft 26 when the trigger guard is the position shown in FIG. 2. The crane pivot shaft 26 is formed with a longitudinal bore 31 in which is mounted a push rod 32 that is pressed rearwardly by the spring 33 into engagement with the cylinder latch 9.

As shown best in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cylinder latch 9 is mounted within but is not otherwise secured to the frame 1, the latch 9 being held in position by the side walls of a longitudinal recess formed in the frame 1, by a depending lug 38 formed on the undersurface of the frame within the aforesaid recess and by the spring-pressed rod 32 which bears against the front surface of the latch 9. As shown best in FIGS. 2 and 6, the latch 9 comprises a rearward portion having an upwardly extending nose 40 that extends through an opening 41 formed in the undersurface of the frame 1, the convex upper end of the nose 40 being adapted to enter the lowermost of the six cylinder indexing notches 42 formed in the cylinder 3. The forward portion of the latch 9 is integrally fonned with a transverse pivot element 43 the upper edge 44 of which contacts the forward surface of the lug 38 and the adjacent downwardly sloping undersurface of the frame 1. The undersurface 45 of the pivot element 43 is adapted to contact and to be supported by the support element 35 of the trigger guard 6 when the firing mechanism is actuated. When the revolver is in its uncocked condition as shown in FIG. 2, the spring-pressed rod 32 bears against the lower portion of the transverse pivot element 43 thereby pressing the upper edge 44 against the forward surface of the depending lug 38 and causing the nose 40 of the latch 9 to enter lowermost of the notches 42. When the trigger 7 is pulled (that is, rotated clockwise as viewed in FIG. 2) the hook like forward extension 47 of the trigger contacts the upper surface of the transverse pivot lug 48 of the latch 9 and the undersurface 45 of the pivot element 43 contacts the support element 35 of the trigger guard 6. Continued clockwise rotation of the trigger 7 presses the pivot lug 48 downwardly thereby pivoting the latch 9 about the rearward edge 36 of support element 35 and moving the nose 40 of the latch downwardly out of contact with the notch 42.

The trigger 7 is normally held in its forward position as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 by the spring 50 which is coiled around the bushing 49 on the pin 8, one leg 51 of the spring bearing on the trigger and another leg 52 bearing on the trigger guard 6. As noted, the trigger 7 has a hook like forward extension 47 which, when the trigger is pulled, engages the surface of the latch pivot lug 48. The trigger 7 also has a rearward extension 53 that is formed with a recess 54 and a sear 55. The hammer is provided with a forwardly extending hammer leg 56 that is normally received in'the trigger recess 54 and with a pivotally mounted hammer dog 57 that is normally spring-pressed to the position above the trigger sear 55 shown in FIG. 2. A spring-pressed plunger 58 positioned in the bore 59 formed in the trigger 7 bears against the transverse lug 60 of the cylinder pawl thereby urging the pawl clockwise toward the cylinder ratchet 61 when the trigger 7 is pulled. However, as clearly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pawl 10 is provided with a forwardly extending foot portion 62 that bears against the upper surface of the trigger guard 6 and thereby maintains the pawl out of engagement with the ratchet 61 when the firing mechanism is in its normally uncooked position shown in FIG. 2.

When the trigger 7 is pulled to cock and fire the revolver in double action, the forward extension 47 of the trigger presses down on the latch pivot lug 48 and pulls the nose 40 of the cylinder latch 9 out of engagement with the lowermost index notch 42, and the pawl 10 moves upwardly into contact with the ratchet 61 and begins to rotate the cylinder 3 to the next firing position. While the cylinder is thus being rotated the downwardly moving trigger extending 47 slips off the pivot lug 48 thereby allowing the nose 40 of the latch 9 to spring upwardly into contact with the cylindrical surface of the cylinder 3 and thence enter the next notch 42. At the same time the firing pin transfer bar 12 moves upwardly into position between the hammer 5 and the firing pin 5a. When the trigger 7 is first pulled the upwardly rotating sear 55 contacts the undersurface of the hammer dog 57, thereby causing the dog 57 and the hammer 5 to rotate counterclockwise (as viewed in FIG.

2). Before the trigger 7 and the hammer 5 reach their respecgages and is moved out of contact with the hammer dog 57. I

When the trigger and hammer reach their fully cocked or, more accurately, hammer release positions, the lower surface of the trigger recess 54 slips out from underneath the undersurface of the hammer leg 56, thereby allowing the hammer to spring forward against the transfer bar 12 which, in turn, strikes the firing pin 5a and causes the revolver to fire. Release of the trigger allows the spring 50 to rotate the trigger counterclockwise to the position shown in FIG. 2. The upwardly moving trigger extension 47 contacts the undersurface of the pivot lug 48 thereby camming the latch 9 forward a distance sufficient to allow the extension 47 to slip by the lug 48, and the downwardly and rearwardly moving trigger sear 55 contacts the forward surface of the hammer dog 57 thereby pivoting the spring loaded dog 57 rearward a distance sufficient to allow the sear 55 to slip by the dog 57.

When the hammer 5 is cocked as in single action the counterclockwise rotation of the hammer leg 56 causes the trigger sear 55, and hence the entire trigger 7, to rotate clockwise until the sear edge 63 of the sear 55 enters and engages the sear notch 64 of the hammer, whereupon the hammer is held in its cocked position until the trigger is pulled. As the trigger is rotated clockwise the trigger extension 47 first depresses and then releases the latch 9, the cylinder pawl 10 engages the ratchet 61 and causes the cylinder 3 to rotate, and the firing pin transfer bar 12 moves upwardly into position between the cocked hammer and the firing pin in the manner previously described. A pull on the trigger causes the sear edge 63 to release the hammer thereby firing the revolver. Release of the trigger 7 allows the firing mechanism to return to its original position shown in FIG. 2 in the manner just described.

To remove the trigger guard assembly the grip plates 2 are removed to provide access to the conical end 22 of the plunger 17. The plunger is pressed forwardly by means of an appropriate tool to release the end of the plunger from the slot 23, and the trigger guard assembly is removed from the frame of the revolver. This construction materially simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the revolver of the invention for cleaning and maintenance.

The removable trigger guard of the invention has been described herein in connection with a doubleaction revolver. However, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, the invention is equally applicable to other types of firearms such as single action revolvers, pistols, rifles and shotguns.

What is claimed is:

1. In a firearm having a frame, a hammer, a trigger and a trigger guard, the improvement which comprises a removable trigger guard having a lug at one end of the trigger guard which engages a recess in the frame and a spring-pressed plunger mounted in the other end of the trigger guard, said plunger having a conical end portion which engages a coacting V-shaped slot formed in the frame to hold the trigger guard on the frame in snug contact therewith, said plunger being depressible to allow removal of the trigger guard from the frame and said frame being provided with access means whereby the plunger may be pushed out of engagement with the slot to effect removal of the trigger guard from the frame.

2. The firearm according to claim 1 in which the front portion of the trigger guard is provided with a forwardly extending lug that is received in a corresponding recess formed in the frame, in which a spring-pressed plunger is mounted in the rear portion of the trigger guard, and in which a plungerreceiving slot is formed in the frame, said slot and said plunger having angularly disposed co-acting surfaces which, due to the spring pressure on the plunger, forces the trigger guard into snug slot is with the frame.

3. The firearm according to claim 1 in which the trigger is pivotally mounted on said removable trigger guard.

4. The firearm according to claim 1 in which the trigger is pivotally mounted on the trigger guard by means of a transverse pin, and in which a spring is mounted over the pin which opposes pulling the trigger.

5. The firearm according to claim 1 in which the trigger is pivotally mounted on said removable trigger guard, in which a cylinder crane is pivotally mounted on said frame by means of a crane pivot shaft, in which a cylinder is rotatably mounted on said cylinder crane, in which a cylinder actuating pawl is operatively connected to said trigger and in which a cylinder latch is disposed in a recess formed in said frame between said cylinder and said removable trigger guard.

6. The firearm according to claim 5 in which the trigger guard is provided with an integrally formed crane pivot shaft locking lug which engages and holds the crane pivot shaft in position releative to the frame.

7. The firearm according to claim 5 in which the cylinder latch is in movable contact with the upper surface of the trigger guard, in which spring-loaded means are provided for pivoting the latch into locking engagement with the undersurface of the cylinder, and in which means are provided on the trigger for engaging the latch and for pivoting the latch out of engagement with the cylinder when the trigger is pulled.

8. The firearm according to claim 7 in which the means for moving the cylinder latch into engagement with the cylinder comprises a spring-pressed rod mounted in the crane pivot shaft which engages the latch and pivots one end upwardly to effect engagement with the cylinder.

9. The firearm according to claim 1 in which a separate spring-loaded firing pin is mounted on the frame in front of the hammer, in which a firing pin transfer bar is pivotally mounted on the trigger, the upper end of the bar being moved upwardly into position between the hammer and the firing pin when the trigger is pulled. 

1. In a firearm having a frame, a hammer, a trigger and a trigger guard, the improvement which comprises a removable trigger guard having a lug at one end of the trigger guard which engages a recess in the frame and a spring-pressed plunger mounted in the other end of the trigger guard, said plunger having a conical end portion which engages a coacting V-shaped slot formed in the frame to hold the trigger guard on the frame in snug contact therewith, said plunger being depressible to allow removal of the trigger guard from the frame and said frame being provided with access means whereby the plunger may be pushed out of engagement with the slot to effect removal of the trigger guard from the frame.
 2. The firearm according to claim 1 in which the front portion of the trigger guard is provided with a forwardly extending lug that is received in a corresponding recess formed in the frame, in which a spring-pressed plunger is mounted in the rear portion of the trigger guard, and in which a plunger-receiving slot is formed in the frame, said slot and said plunger having angularly disposed co-acting surfaces which, due to the spring pressure on the plunger, fOrces the trigger guard into snug slot is with the frame.
 3. The firearm according to claim 1 in which the trigger is pivotally mounted on said removable trigger guard.
 4. The firearm according to claim 1 in which the trigger is pivotally mounted on the trigger guard by means of a transverse pin, and in which a spring is mounted over the pin which opposes pulling the trigger.
 5. The firearm according to claim 1 in which the trigger is pivotally mounted on said removable trigger guard, in which a cylinder crane is pivotally mounted on said frame by means of a crane pivot shaft, in which a cylinder is rotatably mounted on said cylinder crane, in which a cylinder actuating pawl is operatively connected to said trigger and in which a cylinder latch is disposed in a recess formed in said frame between said cylinder and said removable trigger guard.
 6. The firearm according to claim 5 in which the trigger guard is provided with an integrally formed crane pivot shaft locking lug which engages and holds the crane pivot shaft in position releative to the frame.
 7. The firearm according to claim 5 in which the cylinder latch is in movable contact with the upper surface of the trigger guard, in which spring-loaded means are provided for pivoting the latch into locking engagement with the undersurface of the cylinder, and in which means are provided on the trigger for engaging the latch and for pivoting the latch out of engagement with the cylinder when the trigger is pulled.
 8. The firearm according to claim 7 in which the means for moving the cylinder latch into engagement with the cylinder comprises a spring-pressed rod mounted in the crane pivot shaft which engages the latch and pivots one end upwardly to effect engagement with the cylinder.
 9. The firearm according to claim 1 in which a separate spring-loaded firing pin is mounted on the frame in front of the hammer, in which a firing pin transfer bar is pivotally mounted on the trigger, the upper end of the bar being moved upwardly into position between the hammer and the firing pin when the trigger is pulled. 